Parade of Homes

But if you're building the dream home you plan to live in until the end of time, it's a good idea to incorporate features you can use now and a few decades from now. Thanks to smart technology, and smart design, there are plenty of new kitchen and bath products that make life easier at any age. Touchless faucets are handy for busy cooks, and they're essential for people who have difficulty adjusting the water temperature or turning the handle. They also shut off automatically, so your sink won't overflow if you're distracted. In the unlikely event you do have an overflow or a leaky pipe, smart sensors placed in strategic areas will send you an alert, and some can be programmed to turn off the water supply. Top brands Kohler, Delta and Moen have recently introduced voice technology that raises the level of convenience, particularly when you use preset instructions. Tell them to pour a cup of water or fill the dog's bowl and you get the precise measurement. "You can say, 'Fill my spaghetti pot,' and the faucet will give you just the right amount of water," says Patrick Carroll, luxury kitchen and bath specialist at The Ensuite. If you ask the U by Moen Smart Faucet to wash your hands, it will run for a moment, then pause for 20 seconds to prompt you to scrub for the correct amount of time before rinsing. In the bathroom, big walk-in showers are nice to have no matter your age or ability, and smartphone or voice-activated controls guarantee the temperature is always just right. Tiled walls and curbless bases are esthetically pleasing and functional, too. Add a stylish shower bench and you have a relaxing spot to take in the full spa experience. Cont'd on page 130 THINKING ABOUT THE FLOORING OR THE BACKSPLASH DESIGN YOU'VE PICKED OUT IS MORE EXCITING THAN THINKING ABOUT ADDING A GRAB BAR TO THE SHOWER. Parade of Homes FALL 2021 129

• Cover